Midwestern Colleges for a 980 on the SAT

With a 980 SAT, you are competitive at 309 four-year colleges in the Midwest (124 target, 101 reach, 84 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 18 ACT.

Colleges in the Midwest for a 980 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 980 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	940-1190	1065	83%	Medium
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	960-1200	1080	90%	Medium
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	940-1170	1055	70%	Medium
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	900-1160	1030	87%	Medium
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	920-1170	1045	80%	Medium
Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	890-1120	1005	91%	Medium
Chicago State University Chicago, IL	750-963	856	43%	Medium
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	810-1010	910	75%	Medium
Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH	880-1130	1005	91%	Medium
Lewis University Romeoville, IL	960-1210	1085	71%	Medium
Aurora University Aurora, IL	900-1150	1025	81%	Medium
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	960-1170	1065	66%	Medium

View all 124 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average SAT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Iowa State University Ames, IA	1120-1360	1240	89%	Low
University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL	1130-1350	1240	77%	Low
Ball State University Muncie, IN	1080-1260	1170	85%	Low
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	1130-1330	1230	84%	Low
Illinois State University Normal, IL	990-1210	1100	88%	Low
Wayne State University Detroit, MI	1060-1270	1165	81%	Low
University of Michigan Dearborn Dearborn, MI	990-1255	1122	56%	Low
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	1103-1310	1206	86%	Low
Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI	1030-1230	1130	88%	Low
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	990-1220	1105	85%	Low
Ohio University Main Campus Athens, OH	1090-1290	1190	85%	Low
University of Nebraska Lincoln Lincoln, NE	1098-1330	1214	87%	Low

View all 101 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 980; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Central State University Wilberforce, OH	770-950	860	99%	High
Vincennes University Vincennes, IN	-	-	100%	High
Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI	1000-1225	1112	100%	High
Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO	-	-	100%	High
Harris Stowe State University Saint Louis, MO	-	-	100%	High
Columbia College Columbia, MO	-	-	100%	High
Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, IN	-	-	100%	High
University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, OH	-	-	100%	High
Loras College Dubuque, IA	-	-	100%	High
Avila University Kansas City, MO	800-960	880	88%	High
Franklin University Columbus, OH	-	-	100%	High
Wright State University Lake Campus Celina, OH	790-890	840	100%	High

View all 84 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 980 SAT in the Midwest

See all colleges nationally for a 980 SAT

980 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 980 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
920	17
940	17
960	18
980	18
1000	19
1020	19
1040	20

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026